Entertainment legend Keith Harris has died

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Published:11:19Updated:13:53Tuesday 28 April 2015

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Veteran entertainer and ventriloquist Keith Harris has died.

Mr Harris, famed for his routine with Orville the duck, passed away in Blackpool Victoria Hospital at around 4am this morning. He was 67.

His agent, Robert C Kelly, confirmed the news this morning, describing Mr Harris as a “thoroughly decent man”.

He had battled cancer of the spleen since 2013, leaving him out of action on the show circuit for more than a year as he was treated for the aggressive disease, but returned for three shows in December 2014.

But the entertainer took ill again in January and had spent some time in hospital before his death, The Gazette understands.

His career spanned five decades, with a BBC One prime time slot on Saturday nights in the 80s, The Keith Harris Show.